IDPG Issues Statement on Local Elections

International Community hails efforts and understanding of all stakeholders including the Election Commission, the Government, civil society and the political parties in preparing for the historic local elections in Nepal to hold the local elections

International Community hails efforts and understanding of all stakeholders
including the Election Commission, the Government, civil society and the
political parties in preparing for the historic local elections in Nepal to
hold the local elections.

“It has been two decades since local elections were last held, and
Nepalis are keen to exercise their right to elect their local representatives.
Local elections are crucial in revitalizing democracy at the grassroots level
and strengthening government accountability,” said the press statement jointly issued
by IDPG.

The members include Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Denmark,
Embassy of Germany, Delegation of the European Union, Embassy of Finland,
Embassy of France, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of the United Kingdom, Embassy of
the United States of America, United Nations in Nepal and the World Bank.

With less than a month left before the scheduled election date, we
encourage efforts to continue to forge a political agreement to enable the
participation of as wide a section of the population as possible and broaden
support to the process. This will bolster the credibility of the elections and
facilitate the implementation of the Constitution.

“We call on all parties to mutually respect the freedom of peaceful
expression and assembly, and individual voters’ rights as laid out in Nepal’s
laws and constitution. We also call on the security forces to comply with
existing national and international standards when carrying out their duties,”
said a press statement. “We are committed to working with all stakeholders for
a peaceful, inclusive, broadly-supported and credible election process.”